Where is that holy ground?

God replied, "Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals - the ground where you are standing is holy. (Exodus 3:5 CEV)


I remember preparing a Sunday School lesson about this: Moses and the Burning Bush. A familiar passage to many. Moses watching over the sheep. Typical day. Sees a bush burning - but not burning up. God calls out "Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals. You are standing on holy ground." Then God tells Moses he will be the one to free the Israelites from slavery.

I wondered what to focus on - to present to my young students. Holy ground jumped to mind. But seems like such a challenging subject in this day and age.

Back in the day, the church sanctuary felt like a holy ground place. I mean, there was a real reverence to walking in. You were cleaned up, you were more quiet. You treated that space so differently - than any other space.

I suppose I can talk about how we act differently in different places or occasions. Outside on the playground we can be loud and boisterous. But when called back into school, there are reminders of "inside voice" and "sit still". And I suppose I can talk about how we pray: eyes closed, head bowed down. Certainly fighting to be free of distractions. A "take off your shoes" kind of attitude. We don't do that talking to regular people. But God is holy.

I've heard that "holy" means - set apart. But it goes beyond that. There is an "otherness" to holy. Dedicated to God. Belonging to God. Of God.

God's.

I think it goes beyond behavior, how we act in a certain place, to realizing Who is there and Who it all belongs to. We need to be reminded of the awesomeness of Almighty God. Yes, He calls us friend. But we can't forget - the reverence due His name. There is a spiritual realm that is holy and should be treated as well... differently.

In Christ we are holy beings too. We are set apart. We also belong to God. All that we are belongs to God.

So the truth is - wherever God is - is holy ground. In you and all around you. You can't escape holiness. You can only ignore it. Wherever, whenever, we acknowledge His awesome, magnificient almighty present - becomes holy, set apart, something other ground. 

A walk through the woods?
Rocking a baby?
Just sitting and holding hands with a loved one?
The stars and the moon at night?
Slowly washing dishes and humming a favorite hymn?
God is everywhere.
So is holy ground.
How great, how great - is our God!